Furbearer season open

December marks the opening of furbearer season in Oklahoma, offering outdoorsmen the chance to hone their outdoor skills, harvest a variety of game species and perhaps earn some extra cash in the process.

Fur prices have been in a 10-year slump. Markets in Russia, Korea and China impacts fur prices here more than any other issue, and demand over there has fur harvesters really feeling it. With conflict in these areas, the market has been somewhat unstable.

With the decline in fur prices, the numbers of pelts sold by Oklahoma hunters and trappers has hit historically low levels. Last year only 30 beaver pelts were sold at OFBA and FTO auctions, which is down more than 1,000 from 10 years ago. Only coyote pelts are somewhat stable with 154 sold last year. That number is still more than 1,000 less than 10 years ago.

Fashion trends continue to drag on the fur market. Despite all of the obvious benefits of fur – its incredible warmth and durability, sustainable management, environmental friendliness and biodegradability, and the necessity to harvest animals to manage healthy populations, the animal rights movement continues to influence the industry and fashion.

Fur prices are still in limbo, but some furs, such as bobcats are showing more demand. Oklahoma fur brought a wide range of prices last year, bobcats did not sell well last year as the, but they have bounced back and there should be buyers, with prices nearly double of last year, $80-$100 for Oklahoma cats. Coyotes have a little demand and are selling at about $10 — $25 depending on quality. Raccoons are one of the animals that the market has fallen and if you can even find a buyer, the price is less than $10, that is nearly $20 below a few years ago. Other prices include badger $20; and fox $10-$15.

The exception to this low fur demand is the hatter market, which uses beaver fur to make felt hats (cowboy hats, fedoras, etc). That market, dominated by consumers in Western countries, is absolutely booming. Some attribute this to the widespread popularity of the TV Series ‘Yellowstone’, while others say it’s a wider fashion phenomenon that goes far beyond a show. This demand has driven up the price of beaver pelts to the highest they’ve been in more than a decade, and the demand doesn’t seem to be waning yet. Predictions are for top quality bobcat pelts exceeding $100 this year.

Furbearing animals include raccoons, minks, badgers, muskrats, opossums, weasels, bobcats, beavers, skunks, river otters and gray and red foxes to name a few, and many hunters and trappers harvest these furbearers and sell their pelts. Check the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide” for requirements on tagging, selling and possessing furbearing wildlife. The Wildlife Department’s website also has a list of Oklahoma Fur Dealers and Bobcat tagging stations.

There are three styles of furs that are typically sold — stretched, green and carcass. Groenewold Fur & Wool Company has some good information on the current fur demand and gives some good tips on their website.

To hunt Furbearers in Oklahoma – Hunters must possess a resident hunting license and a fur license. If furbearers will be trapped then a trapper’s license is also required. Lifetime hunting license holders are exempt from the hunting and furbearer license.

Season is open December 1-February 29 for bobcat, badger, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, river otter and weasel. Beaver, coyote, nutria, raccoon and striped skunk are open year-round. Seasons are currently closed for swift fox, spotted skunk and ringtail cat.

Consult the Oklahoma Hunting Guide for regulations for the taking of furbearers.

The Wildlife Department also has how-to videos on calling and trapping furbearers www.wildlifedepartment.com/hunting/resources/furbearers-trapping. A list of fur dealers and locations to check bobcat and otter pelts may also be found at this link.